Moving to Buena Vista, Georgia

Buena Vista, the county seat of Marion County, was incorporated January 26, 1850. Buena Vista is the only incorporated municipality in the county. Originally known as Pea Ridge, the city was renamed in honor of a famous battle in the Mexican War.

Built in 1850, the county courthouse in Marion County is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The name “Buena Vista” is of Spanish origin that translates into “good view”. The city is named for General Zachary Taylor’s victory over Santa Ana at Buena Vista.

Buena Vista is home to such attractions as the Silver Moon Music Barn, the Elvis Collection Museum, the National Country Music Museum and the Front Porch Music Hall.

Population: 1,664. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,697 (+2.0% change)
Males: 837 (50.3%), Females: 827 (49.7%)

Zip code: 31803

Demographics

Median resident age: 29.9 years
Median household income: $17,672
Median house value: $60,700

Population by Race

Races in Buena Vista:

  • Black (63.4%)
  • White Non-Hispanic (18.1%)
  • Hispanic (17.9%)
  • Other race (8.6%)
  • Two or more races (1.3%)
  • American Indian (1.1%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: United States (4.2%), English (2.1%), German (1.4%).

Land area: 3.2 square miles

Map of Buena Vista, GA

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Buena Vista

  • High school or higher: 57.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.0%
  • Unemployed: 4.4%
  • Mean travel time to work: 20.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Buena Vista city

  • Never married: 37.3%
  • Now married: 31.4%
  • Separated: 7.4%
  • Widowed: 13.9%
  • Divorced: 10.0%

16.9% Foreign born (16.0% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +192 (+13.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Buena Vista:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Buena Vista:

  • COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN (about 32 miles; COLUMBUS, GA; Abbreviation: CSG)
  • LAWSON AAF (FORT BENNING) (about 33 miles; FORT BENNING(COLUMBUS), GA; Abbreviation: LSF)
  • SOUTHWEST GEORGIA REGIONAL (about 59 miles; ALBANY, GA; Abbreviation: ABY)

Other public-use airports nearest to Buena Vista:

  • MARION COUNTY (about 4 miles; BUENA VISTA, GA; Abbreviation: 82A)
  • PETERSON FIELD (about 20 miles; PLAINS, GA; Abbreviation: 7A9)
  • BUTLER MUNI (about 26 miles; BUTLER, GA; Abbreviation: 6A1)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Buena Vista:

  • COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 30 miles; COLUMBUS, GA; Full-time enrollment: 3,886)
  • FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 47 miles; FT VALLEY, GA; Full-time enrollment: 2,233)
  • GORDON COLLEGE (about 57 miles; BARNESVILLE, GA; Full-time enrollment: 2,263)
  • ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 61 miles; ALBANY, GA; Full-time enrollment: 2,996)
  • MACON STATE COLLEGE (about 68 miles; MACON, GA; Full-time enrollment: 2,557)
  • CENTRAL GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 68 miles; MACON, GA; Full-time enrollment: 2,383)
  • MERCER UNIVERSITY (about 70 miles; MACON, GA; Full-time enrollment: 5,859)

Schools

Public high school in Buena Vista:

  • TRI-COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 513; Location: P.O. BOX 177, HIGHWAY 30; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Buena Vista:

  • L. K. MOSS PRIMARY SCHOOL (Students: 651; Location: P.O. BOX 578, PINEVILLE ROAD; Grades: PK – 04)
  • MARION MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 551; Location: P.O. BOX 16, BURKHALTER AVENUE; Grades: 05 – 08)